258 
ical means. They discuss the several varieties of digitalis and their 
characteristic structures, also describe other leaves used as adulter- 
ants or occurring as admixtures of digitalis. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 
1906, v. 21, pp. 230-232, 242-246, 251-253, 267-271, 276-278. 
Fernan, Albert, reports examining a supposed sample of digitalis 
which was found to be Verbascum. — Ztschr. d. allgem. osterr. Apoth.- 
Ver. Wien, 1906, v. 44, p. 79. 
Weigel, G., characterizes the U. S. P. VIII monograph on in- 
fusion of digitalis as being remarkable in that it does not require, 
specifically, that infusion of digitalis be freshly prepared. — Pliarm. 
Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, p. 85. 
Lowy, J., points out that hydrochloric acid, of the same concentra- 
tion as that present in the gastric juice, materially weakens the 
activity of the infusion of digitalis, while pepsin itself has no such 
action. The infusion of digitalis is said to be reduced in strength one- 
half in twenty-four hours by the organic acids present or formed. 
(Wien. klin. Wchnschr., 1906, v. 19, p. 1157.) — Chem. Repert, Cothen, 
1906, v. 30, p. 411. 
An abstract (from Pharm. Ztg., li, No. 28, 1906, 322) outlines a 
method which the new Austrian Pharmacopoeia directs for the identi- 
fication of tincture of digitalis. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, 
p. 666. 
The inspectors of pharmacies found samples of tincture of digitalis 
with as little as 0.42 to 2.70 j:>er cent of dry extract. — J. de pharm. 
d’Anvers., 1906, v. 62, p. 91. 
Cline, R. R. D., outlines a method for making a tincture of digi- 
talis which he asserts to be practically colorless, odorless, and taste- 
less and still active and efficient. He extracts the leaves with 
petroleum benzin, dries and extracts with a mixture of alcohol and 
water in the usual way. The resulting tincture is treated with ferric 
hydroxide in the proportion of about 8 ounces per pint, and is subse- 
quently filtered through talcum. The filtrate is chilled for six hours 
and again filtered. — Proc. Texas Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 26. 
Caesar and Loretz assert that tincture of digitalis, even under the 
most favorable conditions, deteriorates to the extent of fully 10 per 
cent annually. They recommend that pharmacists prepare only 
sufficient of this tincture and renew the same with a fresh prepara- 
tion as soon as the fresh crop of digitalis is available. — Geschafts- 
Ber., v. Caesar & Loretz, 1906, p. 85. 
Bedall, C., points out that a number of proprietary preparations 
of digitalis are being exploited in Germany and that the apothecary 
is not in position to control their efficiency. He suggests that a gov- 
ernment laboratory be developed which should standardize or test 
all digitalis preparations. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 21, p. 852. 
